Hotels near Belfast Airport

Belfast City Airport is smaller and easier to navigate than many big international airports, which means it usually feels less hectic. It does get busy at peak times, especially early mornings and evenings when business and commuter flights are most popular, but queues are generally shorter than at larger airports. For leisure travellers, it’s often considered a stress-free start or end to a trip.

The airport first opened in 1938 as a base for flying boats, but it really grew in importance during the Second World War. After years as a military and industrial airfield, it reopened for civil flights in the 1980s and has since developed into a modern regional airport.

Belfast City Airport is compact compared to many UK airports. It has a single terminal and one main runway, handling around two million passengers a year. Because of its size, walking distances are short, you won’t need long treks between check-in, security and your departure gate. 

The airport is only about three miles from Belfast city centre, so the journey is quick and straightforward. By taxi, it usually takes around 10-15 minutes depending on traffic. There are also regular airport buses that head straight into the centre. For those hiring a car, it’s a short drive with clear signposts into the city.

Belfast enjoys a vibrant community spirit, and the arts thrive in the city centre, just a short distance from the airport - meaning you'll be able to visit quirky cafes for tea and coffee, or view stunning art at Belfast's galleries. Belfast city centre also hosts a number of high street and side street shopping districts, where shoppers can purchase name brands or one-of-a-kind items for their loved ones. To stay in one of the many areas of Belfast undergoing a dramatic revitalisation, stay at Premier Inn's Belfast City Cathedral Quarter hotel, just a short distance from Belfast's majestic St Anne's Cathedral. For a more central experience, stay at the Belfast City Centre (Alfred Street) hotel and walk along the Stranmillis Embankment to the Belfast Botanical Gardens during your visit.

Because it’s a smaller airport, you don’t need to arrive quite as early as you would at bigger hubs. The general advice is around two hours before a flight, especially if you’re checking in luggage. For those travelling with hand luggage only, security is usually quick, but it’s still worth giving yourself at least 90 minutes for peace of mind. However, its best to check your bookings for live updates.

Yes, there are cafes, bars and restaurants both before and after security. You can grab a coffee and pastry while you wait, sit down for a hot meal or pick up sandwiches and snacks to take on your flight. There are also a few shops selling essentials if you need last-minute travel bits.

While it’s not the kind of airport where you’d spend hours exploring, there are still things to keep you occupied. You can relax with a drink or meal in one of the eateries, browse duty-free and travel shops or simply enjoy the relaxed pace before boarding. For a quieter experience, you can book into the lounge for comfy seating and complimentary refreshments. Many people find the best thing about this airport is that you don’t have to hang around too long, it’s designed to get you through quickly and smoothly.

Flex – Pay now or on arrival, fully refundable with free cancellation up to 1pm on the day of arrival. Our most flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to 1pm on the day of arrival. You can also amend your booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Semi-Flex – Pay now, fully refundable with free cancellation up to three full days before arrival. Fairly flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to three full days before arrival. No refunds after that date. You can also amend your booking date at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Advance – Pay now, fully refundable with free cancellation up to 28 full days before arrival, free to amend thereafter until the day of arrival. Fairly flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to 28 full days before arrival. No refunds after that date. You can also amend your booking date at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Standard – Pay now, non-refundable. Free to amend booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival. Slightly flexible rate – you won’t be able to cancel and get a full refund, but you can amend your booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Non-Flex – Pay now. No amends or refunds. Our least flexible rate – you won’t be able to cancel or amend your stay after booking.

Our standard check-in time is 3pm. For an additional fee*, you can start your stay sooner with early check-in from 11am. Add early check-in to your stay while making your booking, or afterwards by managing your stay in your Premier Inn account. Early check-in is subject to availability and not available at all Premier Inn hotels. 

Checkout is by 12 noon on your departure date. If luggage storage is available, our teams will be happy to store any bags for you if you’d like to check out before 12pm.

*Prices and times will vary depending on date and location. 

For an additional fee*, you can start your stay sooner with early check-in from 11am. Add early check-in to your stay while making your booking, or afterwards by managing your stay in your Premier Inn account. Early check-in is subject to availability and not available at all Premier Inn hotels. 

*Prices and times will vary depending on date and location. 

In 2020 we launched Premier Inn CleanProtect™, our rigorous, daily cleaning method that’s used throughout our UK & Ireland hotels. Developed in partnership with Diversey, a global leader in cleaning and hygiene products for the healthcare and hospitality industries, our promise seeks to give you extra peace of mind so you can always book and stay with confidence.

Check-in - minimising contact at reception and providing hand sanitiser in most public areas for peace of mind. 

Bed linen and towels - laundering all our linen and towels at over 60°C to thermally disinfect them, so you can enjoy a great night’s sleep. We’ve also placed spare pillows in a zip-up bag, for extra peace of mind.

Equipping our teams - providing our team members with all the equipment and sanitisers they need, as well as always operating in the safest way possible for our teams and guests.

A generous serving of safety - you can relax knowing that enhanced cleaning measures are in place throughout our restaurants. Tables are cleaned between visits and contactless payment is in place too, so you can dine safely and comfortably with us every time.

Clean on request - if you'd like your room cleaned during your stay with us, just let us know at reception and use the handy door hanger on the back of your door by 12pm each day.

Most Premier Inns have specially-adapted rooms allowing easier access for customers with disabilities. If there is no specially-adapted room available at the hotel of your choice, we will be happy to offer you alternative accommodation at a nearby Premier Inn. If you have difficulty walking, but do not need a specially-adapted room, please feel free to request a room near reception on the ground floor for easy access. 

If you'd like get in touch, you can reach out to our specialist team via email at pi.accessible@whitbread.com or call us on 0333 0919 817 between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday (calls charged at local rate).

Unfortunately, with the exception of trained assistance dogs, we don't allow pets to stay at our hotels.